Taco Bell Plan Approved

McKENZIE (December 18) — McKenzie has moved one step closer to having a Taco Bell franchise. On Wednesday, the McKenzie Regional Planning Commission approved the site plan presented by Excel Engineer for Kari Keller of Pacific Bells, LLC. Regional planner Donny Bunton stated there were five minor issues with the site plan but they were quickly corrected by Keller’s staff.

Keller will construct the Taco Bell franchise at 15895 Highland Dr., the current location of Old West Steakhouse. No date was given on Keller’s plan to begin construction.

Also during the meeting, discussions on roadside business signage within the city limits were discussed. Members of the Commission were made aware of the difficulty in interpreting sign ordinances when charts/graphics were involved. He added it was in the city’s best interest to remove the charts and follow the verbiage of the provisions.

Bunton said he would review the text closely to see if there were areas where the language needed to be more clear.

The Commission agreed not to revisit off-premises signage (billboards). Currently, the City of McKenzie does not allow billboards within the city limits. The two billboards in town are either on property used by a business or are grandfathered in following the prohibition.

Lastly, the Commission agreed to a plat division located adjacent to the TCAT-McKenzie. The property is to be developed by Patrick Little. It was referenced in the meeting that technically the Planning Commission does not have to sign off on simple plat divisions.